Day 4

When everyone said it'll take a while to adjust, they weren't lying! It is a bit of a culture shock at the moment. At first it's like "Wowww look how different this is!" but then suddenly it becomes "Ohhhh look how different this is...". You marvel at the differences, then relate them to back home, then realise that you actually rather miss how it is back home. As expected then, it is going to take a bit of time to settle in. I find myself looking forward to going home. That said though, I'm not totally giving up on everything; far from it - we're only four days in and I came here for the experience and to grow stronger as a person. Obviously the beginning of that process is appreciating how weak you are to begin with!!

I'm also still getting tired and waking up in line with British time even though my sleep patern is normal - I'm falling asleep between 11 and 12 and waking up 8-9am, but I still feel tired earlier because in comparison to my body clock at home, not much has changed... when I go to sleep it's like 4am at home, which is only a couple of hours or so after I'd go to bed anyway. So everything's a little strange.

People are beginning to form bonds etc with others, and I'm realising that socially I'm a very slow-burner. I think I learnt that at Young Arcadians where during High School Musical I was a hell of a lot more sociable than in Wind In The Willows. Some people are already very much out of their shells whereas others like me aren't. That's not to say I'm a total recluse, I'm just only my full self to an extent, like I'm not quite comfortable enough with my surroundings yet. I'm chatty with loads of people though. Those that were on the first flight seem to be grouping together a little easier, I still don't feel like I've found my niche. It's just shyness though and I'm working my way around gradually. I'm never without anyone to talk to or whatever, and a highlight for me today for example was when we got on the bus to go to camp after meeting at this school, and I sat down on the bus and realised I was on my own and Amy called from the other end "Shaun come sit with us!". I know that's a tiny little thing, but little things like that are reassuring that you're not a total loner! I'm used to being dependent on close friends and stuff so being out here and starting from scratch is very strange and very overwhelming.

So yesterday was the first day of Orientation. We had to play these strange games at first and then in groups we were shown round the camp. It's very well equiped and alot bigger than I thought it was, cos on Google Earth it looks tiny! After lunch we did this quiz thing during which I started to get tired, and when I get tired I start to lose my mental/emotional strength so that wasn't too fun. Then we were told about today, which is Orientation. I was put in the Playground with a few others I already knew which was cool.

Last night the host parents Aimee and Richard went out but theyd already booked a babysitter, who was like 15/16 and she had very little control of the kids, who are much more of a handful than they first appeared! Aimee told her I'd be tired so I took advantage of that and pretty much kept myself to myself although when the kids had gone to bed I did have a quick chat with her.

Today was Open House, which was when the camp was open for families to come and try out various activities and hopefully sign up to camp. Ten minutes before it opened I was shifted over to fencing, with this American guy Zachary. I knew absoloutley nothing about fencing so he had to take t1he lead for the first hour or so and then after that it was okay. Sweltering heat but not too bad! When that was done we pretty much just chatted for a bit then came away.

As soon as I got back I had to get ready to go out again, to Aimee's parents' for dinner. Present were Aimee's mum and dad, brother and sister-in-law, niece, nephew, and sister-in-law's mother. The grandma was very nice and even gave me the rest of the cheesecake to bring back!! The family seem quite close and chatty, a nice athmosphere, and although it did make me pine for my own family it was a very enjoyable evening.

It's coming up to 8:30pm now. We have tomorrow off and then we have more orientation sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and then overnight Thursday-Friday. There's rumour of people going to hang out by a nearby lake tomorrow but I don't know if anything will come of that, and also if I'll be able to go depending on spaces in people's cars etc. But we'll see.

Will keep you posted! :)